The C-Suite: Jim Lacy
Jim Lacy
CFO & General Counsel
ZirMed is national leader in healthcare revenue cycle software and solutions.
Questions:
• How did your childhood prepare you for your work today?
I grew up in eastern Kentucky. My father and grandfather were involved in agriculture and mining, or as I knew it then, cattle and coal. They were both tremendous influences on me. From an early age, I tagged along to job sites, stock yards, and as I got older, worked alongside them. Even then, I was constantly reminded that long-days and hard work were “school appreciation opportunities.” I was exposed to a variety of businesses and every phase of those businesses. My grandfather liked to be able to do every job and run every piece of equipment on a coal field so he would be able to jump in when or if necessary.
Today, I’m constantly reminded by people that work with me that “I have too many jobs and responsibilities at ZirMed.” I’ve been with the Company since 2004, and the organization has grown significantly. In those early days, I had to be able to do a lot of jobs and still being able to actually “jump in when or if necessary” reminds me of my grandfather and the lessons learned. I always think back to riding on the bulldozers with my grandfather and it is a constant reminder of the value of knowing how all areas of an organization work.
• How do you define success?
I’ve been blessed in my career. I’ve had the opportunities to work with individuals that have more financial resources than they could ever spend or invest, some that have made meaningful marks on their field, and others that have changed the landscape of America. The one theme that is a constant from each of them is that they all shy from the declaration of success. I’m not certain that success is a thing in itself, but rather is an amplifier. If a person is good, success amplifies all the good; however, bad traits can also be amplified.
• What are four criteria that you believe are essential in leadership?
Vision, Drive, Empathy, and Communication
• What is one piece of advice you would give a young person who wants to become a future business leader?
I don’t believe there is a singular thing that can shape or influence a young person to be a leader. However, in the spirit of the question, I believe it is that “everything counts.” In business, everything counts and should be thoughtfully examined, analyzed, and put together. Too many people are, in my opinion, lazy. I see messaging with incorrect vocabulary, late meetings, sloppy emails and general lethargy. In business, everything matters and leaders must tune in to see who cares.
• Someday when they write your eulogy, you hope they say…
Husband, Father, Friend
Diane Tobin, Ph. D. is currently the Special Assistant to the President at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. She is the former Executive Director of two non-profits, a co-owner of a for-profit business and a former Dean of the College of Business and Communication at Spalding University.
